Booking a hotel room without the use of a credit card is a new technology, but soon it might become as common as the other payment methods we are accustomed to.
It is essential that your property is prepared for all types of payment methods for reservations, regardless of their shape or form. This will enable you to make your booking process as smooth as possible. It is critical that your staff is prepared to deal with any visitors who contact you to book a room without a credit card. This is why having a policy in place for these various cases is essential.
In this article, we’ll explain how to book a hotel without using a credit card, and why hotels tend to prefer credit cards as the main form of booking.
Why Is A Credit Card Important For Hotel Booking?
Booking a hotel with a credit card provides a certain level of security for both the hotelier and the client. There is a security deposit that the hotel can make use of to reimburse the customer in the event that there are any problems with the accommodation. Similarly, this deposit can also be made using a debit card, although the amount of money required to pay it must be sufficient to cover the deposit amount.
Guests may use their credit cards to establish a line of credit that may be accessed in the event of damage or if they are responsible for incidental charges, such as minibar consumption or late departures. An amount equal to the number of nights booked in addition to taxes and incidentals may be held on the credit card. Regardless of what happens, they will be protected.
What Can Happen If You Book A Hotel Without A Credit Card?
Before the widespread use of credit cards, the world revolved around cash. A global credit card was created by Diner’s Club in 1950, which quickly popularized the concept of personal credit.
Nowadays, virtually all hotels require a credit card to be used for booking, and even if your hotel does not require a credit card when you check in, you will still be required to present one upon arrival. In order to cover any damages to the room that may occur during your stay, you will be required to pay a security deposit at the time of check-in. A hotel may be liable if something goes wrong if a guest hires a room through the hotel and the hotel accepts cash as payment.
Compared to a hotel that accepts credit or debit card payments, a hotel that accepts debit or credit card payments provides less protection because it does not have a “security blanket” in case something goes wrong during their stay, such as people leaving without paying, damages to the accommodations, or any other unexpected event.
If consumers spend more than one night in a hotel, the money on hand may quickly build up depending on the hotel’s level and the duration of their stay.
Hotel employees who have access to the till are significantly more likely to commit robbery or theft if they have access to cash on hand. Having more cash on hand increases the potential for danger, and employees are required to visit the bank more frequently to deposit their money.
How to Book a Hotel without a Credit Card
In addition to credit cards, other types of payment may be available for your property. These types of payment may include PayPal, prepaid cards, cash, a debit card, or a courtesy hold depending on the booking channel and the size of your property.
In order to ensure secure and instantaneous online transactions, with or without the use of a credit card, hotel payment processing systems are essential.
One of the great features of a payment processing system geared towards merchant and guest interaction, is that it allows transactions to be processed at any point, whether it’s a credit or debit card, an e-wallet, or a mobile smart payment system like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The training of your staff in all aspects of payment is another important aspect of accepting different types of payments so that they will have the ability to process and accept the payments that you determine are most appropriate for the transaction and structure size of your business. It’s important that your staff is well-informed and trained to deal with anything that can be thrown in their way.
Tips on Booking a Hotel without a Credit Card
Here’s a few ways you can book a hotel without using a credit card:
Utilize A Debit Card
The advantage of using a debit card when booking a hotel room is that the funds will be taken directly from your checking account when you make the payment for the hotel room, so you won’t spend more than you have since the funds are taken directly from your checking account. One of the disadvantages of the incidental security deposit charged by a hotel is that the amount charged by a hotel will almost certainly be credited to your debit card as a temporary hold, if not a withdrawal. As long as the hotel hasn’t released or reimbursed the hold on your funds, you won’t be able to access those funds. The hotel chain and location will have slightly different policies when it comes to bookings and payments, so it is best to ask the hotel what it will charge you at the time of check-in if you are unsure.
Take PayPal Into Consideration
Many of those seeking others to accomplish hotel bookings will be shocked to find out that PayPal is one of the many valid methods of payment that guests can use when reserving a room in advance. PayPal is generally only available through a few online travel agencies, such as Expedia, when it comes to facilitating payments. PayPal can only be used to pay, not to reserve a room, which means that you should keep that in mind when using PayPal.
Prepaid Cards May Be A Good Option
There is a possibility that you might be able to get a prepaid card if you do not have a credit card and you do not want to get a debit card. A reloadable card can be purchased at the place where you will be staying and then you can use it to book. Nevertheless, not all hotel chains accept these vouchers, so be sure to check with each one before making a reservation.
There is no need for you to worry if the hotel where you will be staying accepts prepaid cards since the procedure is as simple as using your debit card at the hotel. For the duration of your stay, the hotel will hold an estimated amount of funds on your credit card, which you will not be able to access during your stay. There are hotels that accept prepaid cards, but not all of them.
Request That Another Person Book Your Room
If a friend or family member is willing to lend you their credit card, you can use it to book your hotel room. In many cases, they will be able to book the room in their own name, using their own credit card, and adding you as a guest to the reservation. You can check in on your own if you have a valid ID that matches the reservation you made. In some cases, you can make a reservation in your own name using someone else’s credit card, but you may be required to first provide a credit card authorization form before the hotel will process the reservation in your name.
Try If You Can Request A Courtesy Hold
Some hotels still provide guests with courtesy holds for their reservations, even though this is becoming less common as time goes on. You do not have to pay anything to secure the room when you book, so there is no need for a deposit when you make a reservation. You will still be able to reserve the room with a credit card, but a debit card will still be required to pay for it. Please contact the hotel directly if you wish to request a courtesy hold and ask them what their policies are in regards to this.
Inquire About Smaller, Independent Hotels
There are some smaller, boutique hotels that will let you book without a credit card even though many large chain hotels won’t allow you to do so. If you are looking for independent hotels, you will need to look for a number where you can speak to the proprietor or manager directly. Due to the fact that they are not part of a big corporation, they may be more flexible if you want to book without using a credit card.
In the same way, as you would with established hotel chains, you should call ahead to find out what the policies are at the location. Don’t be afraid to ask a hotel manager or even an owner if there are any alternatives that they are amenable to considering, and don’t be hesitant to speak with them directly if you can. They are willing to make it work, 99.9% of the time.
Pay With Cash The Old-Fashioned Way
It is recommended that you choose a smaller, independent hotel if you wish to pay in cash. In addition to paying the room rate, you may also be required to pay a security deposit, which is in addition to the room rate. You may be able to switch your payment method from credit card to cash at the register of a well-known hotel chain if you are staying at one. When booking a room with cash, you should always keep in mind that you will not be able to do so. You will not be able to get a room at a hotel if you are unable to make the payment. In order to make sure that the specific location is available, please contact them ahead of time.
Final Word
Throughout this article, we have discussed how to make hotel reservations without a credit card, why hotels usually require a credit card when making a reservation, potential problems that could arise when accepting a reservation without a credit card, as well as other payment methods that may be available.
In the instant that you’ve decided to go on a vacation, you’ve most likely checked out hotels in the area. However, before you decide to make any plans, it is important that you know how you will be reserving your room. In order for hoteliers to be able to select the best payment option for their business, they should be aware of the various payment options available to them.
Booking a hotel with a credit card can be a great option in many cases, especially if you’re traveling on business. It is advisable to contact the hotel ahead of time to find out what other methods of booking the hotel accepts if you would like to avoid this option.
